Aerosol container with metering valve



1966 R. T. FERRY, JR 3,269,615

AEROSOL CONTAINER WITH METERING VALVE Filed May 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l 23 25 j Fig.1 2 2429 6 Fig.2

INVENTOR. flo m L T X "f BY fm, 5 7 9 ATTORNE Y5 Aug. 30, 1966 R. T. FERRY, JR 3,

AEROSOL CONTAINER WITH METERING VALVE Filed May 27, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. T Fig/v, J

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United States Patent 3,269 615 AEROSQL CONTAINER WITH METERING VALVE Royal T. Ferry, Jr., 276 Taintor Drive, Southport, Conn. Filed May 27, 1964, filer. No. 370,587 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-394) This invention relates to valves for pressurized containers and particularly to an improved metering valve for pressurized containers of the type commonly referred to as aerosol bottles or containers.

Many forms of metering valves have been heretofore proposed for aerosol containers, i.e., valves which permit the dispensing of a predetermined small amount of the contents of the container for each actuation of the valve.

Many of the known so-called metering valve constructions require movement of an actuator throughout its entire range of movement to be effective. Movement of the valve actuator for distances less than the full range of movement often causes continuous dispensing of the material within the container, thus defeating the purpose of a metering valve.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a metering valve assembly that will be positive in action and incapable of being actuated to continuously dispense material within a pressurized container.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a metering valve assembly that can be easily applied to a conventional nonmetering valved pressurized container.

In one aspect of the invention, a conventional nonmetering valved pressurized container may comprise the usual housing closed by a valve which, when depressed, dispenses the contents of the container through an apertured head. The valve may comprise a body having a bore and counterbore therein that is fixed to the body at one end thereof and may include a resilient sealing element through which a reciprocable tubular element sealingly extends. The tubular element may include a headed end within the counterbore that is normally urged upwardly by a spring within the counterbore into sealing contact with the resilient sealing element. A transverse port may be provided in the tubular element in such a location that it is closed by the resilient'sealing element when the tubular element is in its upper position by the action of the spring, and establishes communication between the interiors of the tubular element and the container when the tubular element is depressed.

In another aspect of the invention, the conventional apertured head that fits on the exposed end of the tubular element is replaced by a two-part sleeve valve type of construction including a cylindrical extension that may be telescoped over the tubular element.

In still another aspect of the invention, a reciprocable, hollow head may be slidingly mounted on the extension forming a metering chamber therein. The head is normally urged away from the tubular element by a spring within the hollow head that acts on shouldered means within the extension.

In a further aspect of the invention, the head may include a transverse aperture which, when the head is in its extended position, opens the interior thereof to the atmosphere, and when the head is depressed, cuts off the interior of the head to atmosphere.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the spring within the head possesses a lower force value than that of the spring within the conventional valve body. Accordingly, depressing the head causes the closing of its port to atmosphere prior to the compressing of the spring of the conventional valve, so that the chamber within the head is closed prior to establishing communication between the interiors of the tubular element and the container. Upon release of the head, the conventional valve Patented August 30, 1966 cuts off communication between the interiors of the tubular element and the container prior to opening the port of the head to atmosphere.

The above, other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings which are merely exemplary.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a pressurized container to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, with the parts shown in a position to dispense a metered quantity of the material within the container;

FIGS. 3 and 4 disclose a modified form of the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 disclose another modification; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 show still another modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a container 10 having a valve body 11 permanently connected to container 10 at one end thereof. The valve body 11 may comprise an inner end 12 having a passageway therethrough, said end 12 being connected to a tube 13 leading to the bottom of container 10. Body 11 may include a counterbore or aperture 14, and a sealing washer 15 of resilient material may lie between the top of valve body 11 and the portion of container 10 that encases body 11.

A tubular element 16 may slidingly and sealingly extend through washer 15 and it may include a headed portion 17 within counterbore 14, said tubular element 16 also possessing a seat 18 that is normally urged upwardly by a spring 19 into sealing relation with washer 15 (FIG. 2). The headed portion 17 closes off the end of tubular element 16 within bore 14, and a port 20 is provided in the side wall of tubular element 16 in position such that in FIG. 1 when the element 16 is depressed, port 20 establishes communication between the interiors of tubular element 16 and container 10. In FIG, 2 wherein the tubular element 16 is in its extended position, port 20 is closed by seal 15. The structure so far described is conventional.

A cylindrical member 21, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as being tubular in form, with an apertured partition 22 centrally thereof, is pressed or otherwise fastened in telescoping fashion onto the exposed end of tubular element 16. A head or button 23 may comprise a bore 24 which slidingly receives the upper end of member 21.

The head 23 may include a transverse port 27, and a spring 28 having a force value less than spring 19 is mounted within head 23 between apertured partition 22 and a boss 29 on head 23. In order to restrict the outward movement of head 23, a shoulder 30 is formed on the exterior of member 21, and a bored and counterbored ring 31 is threaded, pressed or otherwise fastened to head 23. The counterbore in ring 31 provides means for permitting a reciprocable movement of head 23 on member 21.

The construction is such that the depressing of head 23, as shown in FIG. 1, first compresses spring 28 while spring 19 remains extended. This causes head 23 to slide down along member 21 until port 27 is closed and a peripheral or circumferential seal is effected between the outer wall 25 of member 21 and the inner upper surface of bore 24. Continued downward movement of head 23 compresses spring 19, lowering port 20 into container 10 whereupon the chamber within cylindrical member 21 fills with pressurized fluid from container 10 and is prevented from escaping through port 27 by the circumferential sealing areas 25, 26 of member 21 and bore 24 and the fact that port 27 is closed by the wall of member 21.

As head 23 is released, spring 19 being stronger than spring 28 returns port 20 to its closed position shown in FIG. 2 before spring 28 can move port 27 to its open position abovet-he upper end of member 21. Thus, only a metered amount of the contents of container 10 can be dispensed with each actuation of head 23, and in no position of head 23 will the contents of container 10 be dispensed continuously.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cylindrical member attached to the exposed end of tubular element 16 is shown as solid cylindrical stem 32 having a skirt portion 33 integral therewith and forming a shoulder 34. The skirt 33 is pressed or otherwise attached in a telescoping fashion to element 16. A cap or button 35 includes a bore 36 that slidingly receives the stem 32 and a counterbore 37 that slidingly receives the shoulder 34. A spring 38 reposes between the shoulder 34 and the bottom of counterbore 37. If desired, a ring 39 slidingly fits the skirt 33 and is fastened to head or cap 35.

A port 40 provides communication between the interior of element 16 and cap 35, and a port 41 in cap 35 is closed by the wall of stem 32 when the cap is depressed as shown in FIG. 3. A bevel 42 may be provided on the upper end of stem 32 for controlling the rate of escape of the metered quantity of material from container 10,

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cylindrical member 43 is similar to member 21 of FIG. 1; however, the cap, head or button 44 is provided with an elongated clearance portion 45 of annular shape that extends from a seat 46 to a ring 47. The head 44 also includes an annular skirt portion 48 that slidingly fits within member 43 and forms a circumferential seal between member 43 and skirt portion 48. A spring 50 urges the head 44 upward, away from member 43, as shown in FIG. 6. A groove 51 in skirt portion 48 permits passage of the metered material into the annular space 45 and thence out port 52 when the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 6. This controls the dispensing of the material through port 52 by utilizing the space 45 as an accumulator so as to lessen any tendency of a sudden discharge through port 52.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the member 53 is similar to member 43 of FIG. 5. However, the head 54 lacks the skirt portion 48 shown on head 44 and depends instead on a sliding sealing fit between the outer periphery of member 53 and a surface 55 formed by providing an annular passage 56 shorter than p-assage 45 of FIG. 5. A port 57, however, still remains in communication with passage 56 as the port 52 remains relative to passage 45 in FIG. 5. A groove 58 is provided in the top edge of member 53 for the same purpose that groove 51 is provided in skirt portion 48.

Although the various features of the improved metering valve assembly have been shown and described in detail to fully disclose several embodiments of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stern and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having chamber means therein, mounted on said stem and including a circumferential sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof, as well as at the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member and having a circumferential sealing surface slidably mating with said circumferential sealing surface on said cylindrical mem ber adjacent to said upper end thereof, and a seat adapted to cooperate with the sealing surface at the end of said cylindrical member, said head means having an outlet aperture therein at a location to be opened and closed by the sealing surface and seat on said head means; and spring means having a force value substantially less than that of said valve spring, urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the chamber means therein is placed in communication with said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal olf said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said chamber means.

2. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stern and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having an inverted cupshaped portion adapted telescopingly to be mounted on said hollow stem and including a sealing surface along the exterior of said cup-shaped portion, said cylindrical member having a solid cylindrical extension projecting axially therefrom, said extension having a sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member and having a sealing surface slidably mating with said sealing surface on said cylindrical extension, said head means having an outlet aperture therein; and spring means of less strength than said valve spring means urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the cup-shaped portion therein is placed in communication with said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal off said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said cup-shaped portion.

3. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stem and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having an inverted cupshaped portion adapted telescopingly to be mounted on said hollow stem and including a sealing surface along the exterior of said cup-shaped portion, said cylindrical member having a solid cylindrical extension projecting axially therefrom, said extension having a sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member and having a sealing surface slidably mating with said sealing surface on said cylindrical extension, said solid cylindrical extension forming a metering chamber with the walls of said head means, said head means having an outlet aperture therein; means at the end of said solid cylindrical extension for controlling the passage of fluid from said metering chamber to said outlet aperture; and spring means of less strength than said valve spring means urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the metering chamber therein is placed in communication with said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal off said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said metering chamber.

4. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stem and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having an inverted cupshaped portion adapted telescopingly to be mounted on said hollow stem and including a sealing surface along the exterior of said cup-shaped portion, said cylindrical member having a solid cylindrical extension projecting axially therefrom, said extension having a sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member and having a sealing surface slidably mating with said sealing surface on said cylindrical extension, said solid cylindrical extension forming a metering chamber with the walls of said head means, said head means having an outlet aperture therein; means at the end of said solid cylindrical extension for controlling the passage of fluid from said metering chamber to said outlet aperture; and spring means having a force value substantially less than that of said valve spring, urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the metering chamber therein is placed in communication with said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal off said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said metering chamber.

5. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stem and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having chamber means therein, mounted on said stem and including a circumferential sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member, said head means having a bore providing an annular chamber between said head means and said cylindrical member, and an annular skirt adapted to provide a circumferential sealing surface slidably mating with said circumferential sealing surface on said cylindrical member, said head means having an outlet aperture therein at a location to be opened and closed by the sealing surface on said head means; and spring means of less strength than said valve spring means urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the chamber means therein is placed in communication with said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal off said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said chamber means.

6. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening 'at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stem and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having chamber means therein, mounted on said stem and including a circumferential sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member, said head means having a bore providing an annular chamber between said head means and said cylindrical member, and an annular skirt adapted to provide a circumferential sealing surface slidably mating with said circumferential sealing surface on said cylindrical member, said head means having an outlet aperture therein at a location to be opened and closed by the sealing surface on said head means; means on said skirt for controlling the passage of fluid from the chamber means in said cylindrical member to said annular chamber; and spring means of less strength than said valve spring means urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the chamber means therein is placed in communication with said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal off said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said chamber means.

7. A metering outlet valve for a pressurized container having an opening at one end thereof, including in combination a hollow depressible stem and valve in said opening; spring means normally holding said valve in closed position; a cylindrical member having chamber means therein, mounted on said stem and including a circumferential sealing surface adjacent to the upper end thereof; head means slidably mounted on said cylindrical member, said head means having a bore providing an annular chamber between said head means and said cylindrical member, and a circumferential sealing surface adapted sealingly to cooperate with the outer circumferential surface of said cylindrical member, said head means having an outlet aperture therein at a location to be opened and closed by the sealing surface on said head means; means on the upper end of said cylindrical member diametrically opposite said outlet aperture for controlling the passage of fluid from the chamber means in said cylindrical member to said annular chamber; and spring means of less strength than said valve spring means urging said head means upwardly relative to said cylindrical member so that the chamber means therein is connected to said outlet aperture, said sealing surfaces engaging each other to seal off said outlet aperture when said head means is depressed relative to said cylindrical member and before said stem is depressed, further movement of said head means opening said valve to fill said chamber means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1961 'Focht.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METERING OUTLET VALVE FOR A PRESSURIZED CONTAINER HAVING AN OPENING AT ONE END THEREOF, INCLUDING A COMBINATION A HOLLOW DEPRESSIBLE STEM AND VALVE IN SAID OPENING; SPRING MEANS NORMALLY HOLDING SAID VALVE IN CLOSED POSITION; A CYLINDRICAL MEMBER HAVING CHAMBER MEANS THEREIN, MOUNTED ON SAID STEM AND INCLUDING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEALING SURFACE ADJACENT TO THE UPPER END THEREOF, AS WELL AS AT THE UPPER END THEREOF; HEAD MEANS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER AND HAVING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEALING SURFACE SLIDABLY MATING WITH SAID CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEALING SURFACE ON SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER ADJACENT TO SAID UPPER END THEREOF, AND A SEAT ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH THE SEALING SURFACE AT THE END OF SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER, SAID HEAD MEANS HAVING AN OUTLET APERTURE THEREIN AT A LOCATION TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED BY THE SEALING SURFACE AND SEAT ON SAID HEAD MEANS; AND SPRING MEANS HAVING A FORCE VALUE SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN THAT OF SAID VALVE SPRING, URGING SAID HEAD MEANS UPWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER SO THAT THE CHAMBER MEANS THEREIN IS PLACED IN COMMUNICTION WITH SAID OUTLET APERTURE, SAID SEALING SURFACE ENGAGING EACH OTHER TO SEAL OFF SAID OUTLET APERTURE WHEN SAID HEAD MEANS IS DEPRESSED RELATIVE TO SAID CYLINDRICAL MEMBER AND BEFORE SAID STEM IS DEPRESSED, FURTHER MOVEMENT OF SAID HEAD MEANS OPENING SAID VALVE TO FILL SAID CHAMBER MEANS. 